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Ann K. Levine, Esq. Chief Consultant and President |
Thinking about Transfering as a 2L?Earning great grades your first year can be a ticket into a fantastic law school (as my clients have proven time and time again – transferring from Touro to Cardozo, Golden Gate to William and Mary, Catholic to Georgetown). Here are some worthwhile insights into what the law schools are thinking, and how law firms might evaluate your record. I agree with the first comment under the post, by the way. Related posts: 30 Responses to “ Thinking about Transfering as a 2L? ”Leave a Reply
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Ann K. Levine, Esq., former director of law school admissions for two ABA approved law schools, is a law school admission consultant and owner of Law School Expert,
Hi Ann,
I have applied to Cooley, Western New England, Florida Coastal and North Carolina Central. My undergrand GPA is 2.79 and my LSAT score is 147. I also have a disorderly conduct conviction (a violation in New York State) in June 2010. I really want to practice law in New York State. I was wondering which of these schools you would suggest attending based on my desire to transfer to a New York school such as Touro or New York Law. Also what do you think my chances are of getting into the schools I applied to? Some schools I didn’t have to disclose my disorderly conduct due to the way the charater and fitness questions were asked(Western New England because the record is marked sealed). Other schools I had to send a certificate of dispostion(Cooley) which included my orginal charges, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana. Thank you for your time!
Jason,
I think the question is a bit premature – you need to see where you are admitted. I can’t emphasize enough that transferring is not automatic – and very few people are able to transfer because 90 percent of the class is NOT in the top 10 percent……I think you should see how you do with the schools you applied to and then we can talk about options/careers, etc. I think, with a strong application, there are schools in the northeast you should have applied to.
If transfering is not a option (although I really hope it will be), will it still be possible to pass the New York bar? Is Western New England the best choice in that case over Cooley, NC Central and Florida Coastal? Should I wait another year and try to get into Touro? I found the LSAT extremely difficult and wonder how much better than a 147 I could manage. I took Kaplin prep course and my score had not changed at all. I will be 29 years old soon and don’t want to waste another year. Again thank you for your time.
Hi Jason B, I think being close to NY will have its benefits. I can’t make a judgment on whether you will pass the bar or be admitted to the NY Bar based on your background. Those are questions you need to ask the NY Bar and/or an attorney who represents people seeking admission to the bar.
Hi. I am struggling trying to decide which law school to attend and then considering a transfer. I am deciding between Dayton, Capital, Barry, and Regent. My GPA was 3.2 and LSAT 148. Which law school would help me to transfer possibly to Kentucky or Louisville? Thank you.
Hello Ann,
My name is Brian L. I have been accepted to the University of Memphis school of Law and Saint Louis University Law. My first pick was American University School of law because of my massive interest in studying international law. However I was wait-listed at American University and as time passes it looks as though I will not be granted admittance. Nonetheless, I would like to at least transfer to American University Law School for my 2L year. However, I am conflicted on what to do? See I am currently finished my first year of M.A. in Political Science at the University of Memphis. I was wondering if: I should try to finish my M.A. (then reapply to American University) or go ahead and finish my first year of law school (then attempt to transfer)? My LSAT Score is 155 and my GPA is 3.6 undergraduate and my masters GPA is currently 3.7. Thank You for your advice.
Hi Brian L,
First, most WLs don’t move until July and August so hold tight and don’t lose your patience (although American’s WL is always ridiculously long).
I think it is more likely to get into American by reapplying and retaking the LSAT than by transferring.
Hello Ann,
Do you believe that it would be better to attend a lower ranked school and transfer or do you feel it would be better to retake the LSAT and reapply for the following year. My situation is that I have a 3.16 gpa and a 148 LSAT score. I did not get into the school I wanted to (McGeorge) but I believe I will be attending Thomas Jefferson. I am confident that I will do well my first year as I am going to be coming from a non-accredited school where I took many of the first year classes. I am just struggling to figure out if it would be better to just wait and retake the LSAT (though I did take it again once before and had the same score) or would I have a better chance of getting into the school I want by transferring. P.S. I am a non-traditional student with 15 years of work experience already. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Mac,
Generally, if you’re thinking you could improve your LSAT score and you know you wouldn’t be happy at the school where you’ve been admitted then you should wait a year. It’s not so easy to transfer. However, if you doubt you’d be able to raise your score (and if you’re in a hurry to get started) go to TJ but be prepared to be a stand-out there and network like crazy. If you end up with the grades to transfer to McGeorge then great, but if not you need to be prepared to finish what you’ve started at TJ.
Ann,
First of all, thanks for this site and your advice. It is a great resource on a confusing subject. My UGPA was a terrible 2.7 but my LSAT scores were decent at 159 and 164. I just finished my first year at San Francisco Law School, which is part-time and non-ABA (although it is Cal accredited). My 1L GPA is 2.81. I’m considering transfer applications to Golden Gate, U of San Francisco, and Santa Clara. How should I feel about my odds? Thanks!
Hi Ann,
I am applying to transfer to a top 10 school, but even if I get in, I don’t know if it’s worth the relocation and the disincentives of starting at a new school. I am top 2 percent and got invited to the law journal. I am at a top 30 school. My spouse has less career opportunities here and I am looking to practice in the market of the new school. My spouse also does not like our current city. Would it be disadvantageous for OCI and possible clerkships to transfer? Or are my grades at the home school good enough to get the job I want at OCI even without a history at the new school? And would the reputation of a top 10 school be just as beneficial as staying at my present school and being on law journal? Would transferring to the new school improve my chances at clerkship opportunities? Please help, since I am unsure. Thank you!
M, FIrst, congratulations on your success this year. I think it’s fabulous to graduate at the top of your law school class. I think transferring is a real possibility for you. I’ve had clients make the same move and they miss the accessibility to faculty and the friends they made as a 1L. However, if the cost between the two would be the same then it’s more likely you’ll find it worthwhile to move up. My clients who transfer have not had real difficulty with jobs (you might not have your first pick like you would at the top of your class at your current school but you won’t wind up empty handed just because you transferred). You can still keep your accomplishments at the current school on your resume. You might lose out on a journal, but I don’t think that’s the end of the world. You could always join as a 3L if you want. Talk to other people who transfered to that particular school and see what they tell you. Good luck!
Many thanks, Ann. I really would like to do a clerkship after graduation. Is being on journal necessary to gain a clerkship?
Hello Ann,
I am currently a 1L at Florida Coastal School of Law (4th Tier) and finished my first semester with a 3.2 GPA and ranked in the top 16% of my class. I was hoping to attempt to transfer to another state school, Florida State University (2nd Tier), at the end of this year. Assuming I maintain my grades, how likely/unlikely do you think this prospect to be? Thank You!
George, as long as FSU would let you do it (in terms of finishing your first year in the winter instead of the spring) then I think you could be a contender.
M, it’s not necessary but it’s very helpful!
Hi Ann,
I finished top 30% at Whittier and applied Part time to Loyola and Southwestern, and full time to Hastings and Santa Clara. What do you think my chances are? Thanks.
I am debating whether or not to go to Southwestern Law School as opposed to Golden Gate Law School. Southwestern is a 3rd Tier school and Golden Gate is a 4th. I am hoping to do very well my first year. If I am in the top 10% at Golden Gate, do you think I would be a candidate for transferring to Pepperdine for my 2nd year? Or will they not consider me because I went to a 4th tier school?
Thank you!!
Sarah, Congrats on having this great choice to make. Everyone plans to do very well their first year, but 90% of law students aren’t in the top 10% so just be a bit cautious in that regard. However, if you are in that range then transferring to Pepperdine may be realistic. But it would be from SW too. I’ve had clients in the top 10% at SW transfer to USC!
Hi, Ann,
A few law schools that I’ve seen, specifically University of Texas and University of North Carolina, indicate that a successful transfer applicant must present “compelling” reasons and specifically state that a better school, in-state tuition, and better job opportunities are not compelling. So I’m wondering what reasons are considered compelling and why this requirement exists? It seems like if a student has the grades and space exists, that student shouldn’t have to present any reason other than their desire to transfer.
Chris, schools don’t necessarily want an influx of transfers, nor is there usually room for too many. State schools (the two examples you’ve given) have a mission to serve the local population so having ties to the state is an important part of the process.
Hello,
I had a few questions for you. I am looking to make a very big jump in law schools. I have been working hard this year and I want to see what it takes to make a transfer application that would be be very noticeable to any ivy league school from a tier 3 school. I know the obvious top 10% of the class but are there any extra circulars that I should get involved in now to prepare? Also, do they put any weight on factors such as speaking five languages if you do get the grades for someone who wants to go into international law? Any tips you could give to enhance my overall appeal beyond the numbers to the ivy school would be very much appreciated.
Thank you very much!
Alexa,
It comes down to academic performance in law school – which means grades, rank, and faculty recommendation(s). Your reasons for wanting to transfer are #2. They should be specific and definite, well thought out and convincing. Extracurriculars are very low down on the list.
Hi Ann,
Thanks so much for this website. I recently found out that my husband’s job is transferring him to Tuscon, AZ. I am a 2L in Atlanta, GA. I want to move with him in May and would like to try to transfer to the University of Arizona. Do you have any information on transferring for a reason like this? I’ve done well at my current school (Georgia State – top 18%). Will they weigh in the necessity of my relocation when considering my application?
Thank you.
Afterthough question: Do you know how long law school credits are good for? If I do not want to transfer the year after the move, can I wait a few years (obtain in state residency etc.) without losing my first year credits?
Grace, you have a limited amount of time to complete law school once you begin it. Check out the ABA rules in this regard.
In the process of completing transfer applications to Chapman, Southwestern, and Cal Western for the Fall 2012 semester.
Currently a 2L (spring start) at John Marshall in Chicago w/ a 2.9 gpa (B- curve), ranking is still unknown(prob top 40-50%) but I made a drastic improvement between 1st and 2nd semester.
Have an amazing rec from my legal writing professor, who’s class i received an A+ in
Reasons for transferring: Have a job lined up through a family member in So Cal, want to practice and take the bar in california
Any advice would be greatly appreciated Ann
Ann,
I am a first year student at suffolk law, and want to transfer to New York School of Law. I got mostly all B’s this semester, what do you think the chances of me getting into that school since there are very similar in ranking and everything…
And rutgers and seton hall are also a possibility…thanks
Hi, I am currently a 1L at georgetown and am planning to apply to transfer to Harvard next year. Last year I made it to the wait list phase. I am a Yale alum, but had a relatively poor UGPA , a 3.5, and a 170 LSAT. First semester grades are out, and I got a 3.65, which per last year stats should put me in the top 15%. I can’t seem to find any info on stats for transfers GPAs and school origins. I also should have strong recommendations from my profs. Can you give me a sense of where I would stand if I can keep my grades at this level or higher? Or where I could find past transfer students’ stats?
Thanks!